AT&T to sponsor 2012 Bay City Fireworks Festival

Published 4:03 am, Saturday, March 31, 2012

BAY CITY - Several members of the press as well as community leaders met in downtown Bay City today to hear the announcement of the sponsorship program of the 2012 Bay City Fireworks Festival.

Doug Clark, president of the Bay City Fireworks Festival committee announced today that AT&T would be the major sponsor of this year's fireworks demonstration. On hand from AT&T was Gavin Goetz, regional director of external marketing, to thank the community for the opportunity to be part of the 50th year of this firework festival.

"We are really happy to that we (AT&T) can sponsor this event,' Goetz said. He went on to say that "this (festival) is an important event that drives a lot of our customers to this area."

Clark explained that this year, the festival's 50th, would be something to see and remember. Clark stated that last year the grand finale consisted of around 20,000 fireworks shot in a 40 minute time frame. This year, however, would involve "50,000 shots in 50 minutes," Clark said with a smile.

To further commemorate the anniversary, a special collectible "golden ticket" is being offered as both a ticket in to the festival and as a keep sake. The ticket will allow access to both parks, Wenona and Veteran's, during the three day event.

On the second night of the festival, a special fireworks presentation is being displayed to honor the many local schools that helped collect funding for this year's event. "14 area schools will be honored with their own school color fireworks displays," Clark said.

On hand to share some history of the fireworks festival was Terry Watson, long time honorary member of the fireworks committee. Watson gave some history about the festival, and how it started in 1962. Watson began his tenure working for the committee in 1973.

"We walked up Center and down Washington (street)" collecting door to door for the fireworks. "We raised $1,300 in 1973," Watson said, laughing. The cost of the fireworks presentation this year is estimated at around $250,000.

Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville) was also available to offer his thoughts on the process of putting together such an event. Green said that he "didn't know what it took to put together" an experience such as this, noting that a look behind the scenes of such an event is definitely eye opening.

Also present today was State Representative Charles Brunner (D - Bay City). Brunner offered his thoughts on the funding for the annual fireworks presentation. "The money (for the festival) does not come from the city," Brunner said. "Volunteers are what make this event work," he said.

The former Bay City mayor went on to say that in his travels around the state, many people told him that they often oriented their summer vacations around the Bay City fireworks display.

Wolverine Fireworks, based in Kawkawlin, will be managing the festival pyrotechnics and musical scores for the three-day event.